Switch-stand



(No Model.)

J. B. SUFFERN 8: W. G. KIDD.

SWITCH STAND.

atented Nov. 10, 1891 elite mam;

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES B. SUFFERN AND WILLIAM C. KIDD, OF HILLBURN, NElV YORK,

SWITCH-STAN D.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No.463,00'7, dated November10, 1891.

Application filed March 17, 1891.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, JAMES B. SUFFERN and WVILLIAM C. KIDD, of Hillburn,in the county of Rockland and State of New York, have invented certainnew and useful Improvements in Switch-Stands, and we do hereby declarethe following to be a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same.

Our invention relates to an improvement in switch-stands, the objectbeing to provide mechanism for throwing aswitch by hand and lockin g itagainst being accidentally or unauthorizedly changed manually, and atthe same time to provide one capable of being thrown and lockedautomatically by a passing train; and with this end in View ourinvention consists in certain novel features of construction andcombinations of parts, as will be hereinafter described, and pointed outin the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figurel is a horizontal sectional view.Fig. 2 is avertical section, parts being in elevation; and Fig. 3 is aview of a modification.

A represents the switch-stand 'frame, the same consisting of a hollowshell of any ap proved form and construction. The usual target-shaft 1is vertically supported in one end of this frame. This shaft ispreferably angular or square in cross-section, and at its lower end,where it passes through the shell of the frame, it is rounded to form abearing 2. Near its upper end it is provided with a bearing-collar 3,which is held to the shaft by a set-screw 4: or equivalent means, andthis collar rests in a bearing 5, formed in the frame, upon whichtheentire weight of the shaft is supported. At its extreme lower end thetarget-shaft is provided-with a crank 6, which is connected to theswitch-operating rod 7. The shaft is provided with the usualoperatinglever 8, pivoted at or near its upper end. This lever isarranged to receive or straddle a tongue 9 when in its lowered position,and provision is made for the attachment of a padlock or other means tothis tongue, whereby the lever may be locked against unauthorizeddisplacement.

A link 10, provided with an Oblong slot 11, is mounted loosely on thetarget-shaft, and opposite the free end of this link a cylinder SerialNo. 385,398- (No model.)

12 is located. The outer end of this cylinder is furnished withtrunnions 13 13, which bear in the frame of the switch-stand, formingcenters upon which the opposite or free end of the cylinder swings. Arod 14 extends loosely through this cylinder, and at one end it ispivoted to the link 10. At the opposite end it is provided with a nut 15or similar means to prevent the rod from being drawn out of thecylinder. The nut may of course be screwed on or off differentdistances, as required, for an effectual operation of the de Vice. Therod it is provided with a collar 16 near the point where it joins thelink, and a stiff spiral spring 17, mounted on the rod, is confinedbetween this collar and the end of the cylinder. This is an expansiblespring, and its tension holds the parts normally in the position shownin Fig. 1, from which position it is impossible to remove it by handagainst the tension of the spring. It is for this reason that the oblongslot 11 is used, for when this is open and unobstructed the link slipsendwise upon the shaft as the latter is swung, so that the tension ofthe spring is not brought into play when the switch is operated by hand.To look this mechanism against being operated. by hand, means isprovided for filling slot 11 and preventing the link from sliding on theshaft. This consists,preferably, of a block 20, which straddles theshaft, and is provided on its lower face with a lug 21, adapted to fitthe slot. A pair of links 22 22 are pivotally connected with this blockand pass loosely through guide-slots formed in collar 3, which preservea vertical movement to the links. Secondary links 23 23 are pivotallyconnected to the upper ends of links 22 22 and also to the hand-lever.

In the modification the block is pivoted to the link and is constructedto block the shaft when dropped. The links are connected to this blockin the same manner as in the construction described or in otherconvenient manner.

To operate the switch by hand the hand-lever is raised, carrying with itthe block and removing it from the slot 11, and then by swinging thelever around the switch is thrown. Thus it will be seen that the springis not compressed in the least; but when the block is in the slot thelink cannot'slide on the shaft and the shaft can only be rocked bycompressing the spring, and as the spring is very stiff it can only becompressed by the flanges of the wheels of a passing train wedgingbetween the rails of the main track and switch. 4 This throws the crank6 on the opposite side of the center of the shaft, thus compressing thespring, and the spring by its expansible power throws the crank arounduntil the switch is locked, where it must remain until manually closedagain.

It is evident that slight changes might be resorted to in the form andarrangement of the several parts described without departing from thespirit and scope of our invention, and hence we do not limit ourselvesto the exact construction herein set forth; but,

Hat ing fully described our invention, what we claim as new, and desireto secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a switch-stand, the combination, with a target-shaft andswitch-operating rod connected therewith, of a slide -link mountedloosely on the shaft and means for locking said link against sliding,substantially as set forth. I

2. In a switch-stand, the combination, with a target-shaft andswitch-operating rod connected therewith, of a slide-link mountedloosely on the shaft, means for locking the link to the shaft, andspring mechanism connected With the link, substantially as set forth.

3. In a switch-stand, the combination, with actuated rod in saidcylinder pivotally con- 1 nected with the link, substantially as setforth.

l. The combination, with a frame, a targetshaft, and switch-operatingrod, of a link constructed to slide on the shaft, spring mechanismconnected with the link, means for looking the link against slidingmovement, and means for raising and lowering the locking device and forswinging the lever, substantially as set forth. I

5. The combination, with a frame, a targetshaft therein having a crank,and a switch-- operating rod, of a link provided with an 0blong slot andmounted loosely on the shaft, a cylinder pivoted at one end in theframe, a spring-actuated rod passing loosely through the cylinder andpivotally connected With the link, a locking-block, and anoperating-1ever connected therewith, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof we have signed this specification in the presenceof two subscribing witnesses.

JAMES B. SUFFERN. WILLIAM C. KIDD.

Witnesses:

OHAs. N. HOGAN, GEORGE FREEMAN.

